Sentosa may be billed as a place to play in the sun, but come sundown, there are still many things to do on the island

Thinking of staying overnight at Sentosa this month? Forget booking a hotel and pitch a tent instead.

The beach at Palawan Green will be open to campers on selected days and up to 30 tents can be set up there.

Besides falling asleep to the relaxing sound of waves, you can also watch movies at a series of free outdoor screenings or explore the maze-like tunnels of Fort Siloso on a night tour.

These activities are part of Thrillogy at Sentosa, a month-long campaign aimed at students and families in conjunction with the March school holidays.

Students enter the island for free and are eligible for special discounts at various attractions.

It's cooler and quieter in the evening, which is a good thing.

MR KENNETH TANG, who goes to Wave House Sentosa at night once a week with his two sons

Sentosa attractions that stay open after dark

Skyline Luge Sentosa

Wha: Zip down two winding trails on a luge cart or board a Skyride chairlift and enjoy panoramic views of the Singapore skyline Where: 45 Siloso Beach Walk Open: 10am to 9.30pm daily Admission: From $18 for one luge ride and skyride. Students get a one-for-one offer this month Info:www.skylineluge.com/luge-singapore/skyline-luge-sentosa/

Wave House Sentosa

Wha: Surfer wannabes can go on the FlowBarrel and Double FlowRider, enormous pools that generate artificial waves. There is also a lounge pool, indoor restaurant and an outdoor beach bar Where: 36 Siloso Beach Walk Open: 11.30am to 9.30pm on weekdays and 10.30am to 9.30pm on weekends and public holidays Admission: From $30 for a 30-minute session on the Flowbarrel (minimum of three riders required) or $35 for an hour on the Double FlowRider on weekdays. Students get a one-for-one offer this month on the Double FlowRider Info:wavehousesentosa.org

iFly Singapore

Wha: Skydiving facility with the world's largest themed indoor skydiving simulator Where: 43 Siloso Beach Walk (next to Beach Station) Open: 9am to 9.30pm daily except Wednesdays, when it opens from 11am to 9.30pm Admission: First-timer package starts at $89 for those older than seven (includes training and one skydive). Students pay $50 for this package just for this month Info:www.iflysingapore.com

Wha: A museum that uses optical illusions to make 2D artwork appear 3D and 4D Where: Near the waterfront Open: 10am to 9pm daily Admission: $25 (adult) and $20 (child aged four to 12 and senior citizen aged 60 and above) Info:www.rwsentosa.com/ language/en-US/Homepage/Attractions/TrickEyeMuseum

K-Live Sentosa

Wha: Meet K-pop stars such as G-Dragon at this K-pop hologram concert theatre Where: Near the waterfront Open: 10am to 9pm daily Admission: $24 or $29 (adult), $16 (child aged four to 12 and senior citizen aged 60 and above) and $20 or $23 (student aged 13 to 19); students above 12 pay $15 or $17 this month Info:www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Homepage/Attractions/KliveSentosa

Sentosa Development Corporation, which manages the island, is trying to boost Sentosa's profile as a place to go after dark.

Ms Lynette Ang, Sentosa Development Corporation's chief marketing officer, is aware that the island "is admittedly not known as a night destination despite having romantic quayside restaurants and beach bars".

She adds that the management will assess the popularity of these after-dark activities and consider introducing more on a more permanent basis.

Sentosa may not have a reputation for having a bustling nightlife, but there are quite a number of places that are open in the evening.

Even without Thrillogy, about a third of the island's 30 attractions are currently open past 7.30pm.

Indoor skydiving facility iFly Singapore and Wave House Sentosa, for example, stay open till 9.30pm daily to accommodate people who visit after work or school.

Wave House Sentosa's marketing and events executive Diana Lee says Singaporeans make up 70 per cent of its clientele and the centre sees 30 to 60 customers in the evening.

One such customer is senior portfolio manager Kenneth Tang, 45, who goes there with his two sons, aged 17 and 14, once a week.

"It's cooler and quieter in the evening, which is a good thing for us," he says.

Over at Skyline Luge Sentosa, which opens till 9.30pm daily, the two luge trails glow with themed multi-coloured lighting in the evenings to offer a different experience, says the company's general manager Ryan Williams.

He adds that two additional luge tracks loop and a second Skyride will open progressively this year.

Then there are other attractions that extend their hours on weekends and during special events.

Universal Studios Singapore is open till 9pm on Saturdays, selected public holidays and occasions such as its annual Halloween Horror Nights. Usual operating hours are until 7pm.

Similarly, wax museum Madame Tussauds Singapore usually opens till 9pm on weekends and public holidays. It closes at about 7.30pm on weekdays.

Visitors to the island have mixed opinions when it comes to Sentosa's nightlife buzz.

Ms Angeline Goh, 36, who does part-time administrative work, has had staycations on the island with her family four times, and does not mind whether the attractions are open till late.

"The main reason we stay in Sentosa is to relax and make use of the hotel's facilities and just escape the bustle of the city life for a weekend," says the mother of two girls aged 11 and nine.

After finding out about the new night-time offerings at Sentosa, housewife Catherine Tan, 49, says: "We might squeeze more activities when we next go to the island, as the attractions don't just all close once the sun sets," she says.

Night-time thrills this month

FORT SILOSO NITE TOUR

By day, Fort Siloso, Singapore's only preserved coastal fort, is a military museum holding the country's largest repository of World War II memorabilia.

Now with this inaugural night-time history tour, visitors can wander through the dark tunnels of the fort and experience for themselves how soldiers lived and worked there when there was limited lighting.

Each session is open to a maximum of 20 participants and is recommended for those aged 16 and above. Younger children must be accompanied by a parent.

Where: Fort Siloso When: Today to Sunday and March 25 and 26, 8 and 9.30pm Admission: Free. Register on the day itself from 6.30 to 9.30pm at a booth at Beach Station, beside Gong Cha

CAMPING BY THE BEACH

The beach at Palawan Green will be open to campers for a few nights this month. A maximum of 30 tents are allowed each night on a first- come, first-served basis.

At Palawan Green, you can see sand, sea, a setting sun and, now, free movies. Take your mats and popcorn to enjoy back-to-back screenings of popular hits such as the martial arts series Ip Man or musical comedy Pitch Perfect.

Where: Palawan Green When:Tonight to Sunday and March 25 and 26, 7.30 and 9.45pm for all nights plus additional show at midnight only on Fridays and Saturdays Admission: Free

The Straits Times

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